Singapore's Re-opening (Phase 2):
This page contains consolidated latest COVID-19 information on:
1. Official and useful websites/ apps
2. Assistance and support
3. Useful online resources for caregivers
Official and Useful Websites/ Apps
Click here for the full list of official COVID-19 sources.
Updates on COVID-19 situation:
To subscribe to updates on the go:
For medical treatment/ advice:
- Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs)
The Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs), as well as polyclinics, will provide special subsidies for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents diagnosed with respiratory illnesses (e.g. common cold). To locate the nearest PHPC.
- Singapore COVID-19 Symptom Checker
For persons with flu-like symptoms to determine whether they should monitor their symptoms for a few more days or go see a doctor, as well as information about where to get medical attention.
If you are feeling chest pain/ breathless/ gasping for air, or have any other emergency concerns, please call 995 immediately.
- KKH Urgent Paediatric Advice Line (UPAL)
KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) New pilot online service for parents and caregivers to seek advice for common pediatric conditions (for children below the age of 17 years) such as fever, cough, diarrhoea, vomitting, and common injuries. Available from 8.00am to 11.00pm daily.
When you need to head out:
- Keep track of the close contacts that you have met, launch ‘TraceTogether' mobile app
- Use SafeEntry to check in and out when required
- Check crowd level of the mall you intend to visit: www.spaceout.gov.sg
- Check crowd level of the park you intend to visit: http://safedistparks.nparks.gov.sg/
- Wear a mask
- Specially designed see-through face masks with a plastic transparent window at the mouth area can be purchased here. This will help members of the deaf community, who rely on lip-reading to complement sign language. Read more about it here.
To help persons with disabilities who may experience various difficulties fully complying with precautionary measures during COVID-19, MSF , NCSS and SG Enable have put together a circular for public officers and frontline staff, explaining these challenges and how to recognise and interact with persons with disabilities. Enforcement officers will exercise flexibility and understanding under such circumstances.
Persons with disabilities when approached by enforcement officers, can produce their official identification card (Safe Return Card or Public Transport Concession Card). Parents, caregivers or themselves can also approach a Social Service Agency (SSAs) for a memo to explain that they are a registered member of the SSA or are attending a disability programme as an additional form of identification.
Assistance and Support
To support Singaporeans financially and emotionally during this challenging time, the government has put in place financial assistance schemes and opened up new online communication channels for those facing stress, anxiety and marital challenges. For a summary on all the government schemes and services available during this period, please visit: https://www.supportgowhere.gov.sg/ or download the MSF Info-Pack for practitioners at Supporting Families through COVID-19 Info-Pack.
Financial Support
- Fortitude, Resilience and Solidarity Budget
Addresses the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation with a slew of measures to support families, employees and the self-employed tide over their financial challenges.
PDF versions of the various Budget Infographics can be found here: Fortitude Budget, Resilience Budget and Solidarity Budget.
- Temporary Relief Fund (Application closed)
Immediate help with basic living expenses for lower- and middle-income Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents affected by the economic impact of COVID-19.
- COVID-19 Support Fund
- If you have lost your job or on involuntary no-pay leave (for 3 consecutive months), you can get up to $800/ month (for 3 months).
- If you have lost more than 30% of salary (for 3 consecutive months), you can get up to $500/ month (for 3 months).
- The Courage Fund
For low-income households with family member(s) diagnosed with COVID-19, on Stay-Home Notice (SHN), mandatory Leave of Absence (LOA) or Home Quarantine Order (QO).
- NTUC Care Fund (COVID-19)
One-off cash relief of up to $300 per eligible union members. Both existing members and new sign-ups may apply for the NTUC Care Fund (COVID-19). Read the official press release here.
IT Support
For those who cannot afford a laptop:
- NEU PC Plus Programme
Offers low-income households with student or person with disabilities the opportunity to own a brand new computer at an affordable price. Together with industry and community partners, IMDA has enhanced the NEU PC Plus programme to make digitalisation more accessible, to those who need it, such as low-income students who require digital access for Home-Based Learning.
For those who can help donate a laptop/ accessories/ volunteer/ sponsor:
- Engineering Good
With all of Singapore now required to practice social distancing and turning to Working from Home and Home Based Learning, laptops and computers are in high demand. Engineering Good is putting together/fixing old laptops and offering them to those who cannot afford one of their own.
Additional Help and Assistance
For those who needs support with running everyday errands:
- The SG Assist and Good Hood apps can pair citizens who are in need of help up with a nearby volunteer.
Emotional Support
During this challenging time, remember to take care of your emotional and mental well-being:
🤳 Stay connected with loved ones through phone / video calls
👥 Look out for family and friends, make sure they are staying safe and coping well
📞 Call a helpline if you feel weighed down and need to speak to someone
- MOH COVID-19 Hotline: 1800 333 9999
Address queries on the COVID-19 situation.
- National Care Hotline: 6202 6868 / 1800 202 6868
Address the stress or anxiety callers face during the circuit breaker period
- Institute of Mental Health's Mental Health Hotline: 6389 2222
Address your mental well-being
- PAVE Integrated Services for Individual and Family Protection: 6555 0390
- Children's Society Tinklefriend
Provides support, advice, and information to lonely and distressed children, especially in situations when their parents or main caregivers are unavailable.
- Helpline: 1800 2744 788 (available from Mon to Fri, 2.30pm to 5.00pm)
- Tinklefriend Online Chat (available from Mon to Thu, 2.30pm to 7.00pm and Fri, 2.30pm to 5.00pm).
Self-care Resources
- Self-Care Series
Changi General Hospital (CGH) has developed a series of self-care resources to provide individuals with resilience building activities and strategies:
- Thriving while Working from Home
- Essential Self-Care for Essential Work
- Out of Sight but not Out of Mind
Hourly Priority Shopping for Vulnerable Groups
- NTUC Fairprice
Exclusive to persons with disabilities, the Pioneer Generation, and pregnant women for safe distancing shopping. Every Monday: 1st hour of opening hours at non-24 hours outlets; 7am to 8am at 24-hour outlets.
- Dairy Farm
Exclusive for vulnerable groups and elderly. Tuesday / Wednesday: 1st hour of opening hours at non-24 hour outlets; 8am to 9am at 24-hour outlets. Valid at Cold Storage, Giant, Market Place and Jasons Deli.
Useful Online Resources for Caregivers
Educational Resources on COVID-19
- Educational Resource Package (with slides and videos)
To help children and persons with disabilities develop self-care skills and understand routine changes and protective measures due to COVID-19.
- The Department of Child Development (DCD) at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) and partners have developed a brief message using stories for preschool children that talks about COVID-19. The story tells of how the protagonist (Wagga) learns about COVID-19 and things he does while 'staying at home'. See facebook post here.
- As your child will be heading back to school soon, we hope these resources from Thye Hua Kwan will be helpful in preparing your child for the expected changes to come:
Prepare your child for transition back to pre-school:
- Educating your child on new norms (link to Post-CB poster)
- Helping your child understand what to expect at school (link to Social Story: Going Back to School)
- Helping your child understand importance of wearing a face mask (link to Social Story: Wear a Face Mask)
- As your child returns to school post-circuit breaker, you may find these sets of resources jointly curated by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and SG Enable useful in helping you better manage this transition:
- Social Stories
To help children and persons with autism spectrum disorder / intellectual disability understand key concepts like social distancing, wearing masks and having good hygiene etc.
- Useful Resources on COVID-19 and Intellectual Disability
For persons with intellectual disabilities (easy-read versions), support staff, caregivers and volunteers, put together by the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD).
- Coronavirus: A book for children
Digital book with illustrations to help children understand about the COVID-19 situation (answering questions about quarantine, how you can catch the virus and what happens if you get ill)
Activities or Events
- TAKEAWAY Live
Learn practical tips on building family resilience and participate in creative programmes that support Home-Based Learning for children with special needs. All programmes are 30 minutes long and free of charge.
- CARElendar mobile app
Search for inclusive events / activities for persons with disabilities and their caregivers.
Resources for Caregivers/ Families
Knowledge/ Information
- Society Staples
A centralised platform of initiatives and resources to support caregivers and persons with disabilities.
- Raising Children Network
Practical, expert child health and parenting information and activities covering children aged 0-15 years, and tips for families to cope with the COVID-19.
- NUH COVID-19 Resources for Parents and Caregivers
National University Hospital (NUH) has developed COVID-19 resources and information on how to care for your children, including tips on encouraging learning through daily routines, and helping them cope with the changes and uncertainty brought about by the outbreak. Children with special needs will also require extra support to understand what is happening around them, to feel safe, and keep up with healthy routines.
- TAKEAWAY LIVE video series
TAKEAWAY LIVE is a community effort by Superhero Me and Lien Foundation to continue inclusion work in Covid19 times. In this series brought to you by the Mediacorp Enable Fund, four caregivers shared on how they’ve taken charge of the uncertainty at home and four experts shared practical knowledge of building family resilience.
- Early Intervention
Targeted at new caregivers whose child has been newly assessed to require early intervention support, SG Enable has designed a series of resources to help caregivers understand the importance of early intervention, navigate the EIPIC application process better, and learn how they can support their child during this journey. To find out more, download the EIPIC information pack and series of parent’s guides:
· Parent’s Guide: Introduction to Early Intervention
· Parent’s Guide: Navigating EIPIC Application and Community Resources
· Parent’s Guide: Engaging Your Child
- Smart Home Technologies for Independent Living
This guide provides information on how smart home devices can benefit persons with disabilities and caregivers. Learn more about how these devices can be customised to increase ease of use over everyday appliances and improve accessibility at home.
- Virtual reality (VR) modules can help caregivers better understand how their loved ones experience the world as well as teach them life skills.
- Digital Life Skill Booklet
Digital life skill booklet with step-by-step instructions on how to make use of apps, e.g. online shopping.
Courses
- PA Courses
A centralised platform of initiatives and resources to support caregivers and persons with disabilities through COVID-19.
- Online courses to learn new skills:
Entertainment
- SPH Magazines
3 months complimentary access to 3 digital magazines under Singapore Press Holdings (SPH).
- Singtel TV
90-day free viewing of Singtel TV’s 30 channels & CAST’s 21 channels.
- Live Concerts
Live concerts you can stream during the circuit breaker period.
Resources to Engage Children
Educational Resources
- Online Learning
-
A caregiver’s role is important in a child’s development journey. To empower caregivers to play a bigger role in intervention on a day-to-day basis, Thye Hua Kwan has designed some easy-to-follow resources you may use to keep your child’s development on track at home:
Continue your child’s development at home:
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Supporting your child in his or her developmental journey can be challenging at times. These resources by Fei Yue aims to provide you with tips on how you can actively help your child learn and develop, even at home.
- Preschool Home Based Activity Resources (ECDA has gathered Home-based Learning Activities and Resources designed by preschools for infants to K2 children)
- BrainPOP
- Khan Academy
- Discovery Education
- Scholastic
- The Measured Mom (easy-to-use printables for preschool to Primary 3)
- Literative (Reading materials and activities for children up to Primary 1)
- Starfall (up to Primary 3)
- Outschool (Classes led by qualified teachers)
- e-learning for kids (Learning topics that are part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum)
- Curiousity Stream (Documentaries)
YouTube Channels
- Crash Course Kids
Primary School Science topics – Earth, Habitats, Space, Chemical Reactions, Engineering, and much more.
- Science Channel
Learn about outer space, leading scientific exploration, new technology, earth science basics, & more with science videos & news from Science Channel.
- Science Max
Turbocharges all the science experiments you have done at home and makes them ‘HUGE’.
- Geek Gurl Diaries
Discusses, creates, demonstrates and interviews all things ‘geek’ like Raspberry Pi, Arduino, Python, Programming, Computer Science, Logic, Electronic.
- Geography Focus
All about Geography – profiles of countries and regions, descriptions of important landmarks and geographical features (both natural and man-made), and discussion of international issues.
- TheBrainScoop
Shares the amazing things from The Field Museum in Chicago.
- Free School
Exposes children to famous art, classical music, children's literature, and natural science in an age-appropriate and kid-accessible way.
- Kids Learning Tube
Educates children through music and animation in a fun and unique approach to learning.
Online Games
Reading
Virtual Tours
We thank our partners and caregivers for contributing to this section. Please note that our listing does not imply any approval, endorsement or guarantee by the Enabling Guide on any information provided on the websites listed or any views expressed on them. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement and discretion in using the information.
This page is current as of 3 Aug 2020.